Mark Sorensen Christmas time is hope time because love came down.
It was HOPE that spoke to Simeon in Luke 2 reminding him that God’s promises were true and the Messiah had come. And within this gift of Hope? We find the gift of LOVE that casts out all fear, it reminds us that God has come and we are never alone.
I’m reading through an advent devotional written by James Moore, called “Christmas Gifts that Won’t Break”. In it, he tells the fictional story of Conrad.
Conrad was a shoe cobbler in a small village that everyone loved. He had no family but had great joy and anyone that found themselves in his presence always left a little lighter and with their spirits lifted. Early on Christmas morning, some of the villagers were worried that Conrad would have no one there to visit with him on Christmas. So, that morning they knocked on the door to see Conrad’s house decked with holiday décor and, by the bay window in his home, a table was set with place settings for two. When asked who was joining Conrad, he simply responded, “Last night the Lord told me that HE would be joining me on Christmas Day!”
Read on.
After the neighbors left, Conrad sat by the window, quietly watching and waiting for the Lord to come. As he watched, the minutes passed into hours, but he scarcely noticed because he was so excited. While he watched, a beggar passed his window, ragged, weary, and almost frozen in the harsh winter winds. Conrad called him in. He offered the beggar the warmth of his humble home and gave him some shoes for his feet.
After the beggar left, an old woman hobbled by, carrying on her back a heavy load of firewood. Conrad ran out, lifted the load from her back, and helped her into his little home. There he game her some food for her starved body, after she had rested a bit, he helped the woman on her way.
Once again, Conrad positioned himself by the widow to watch for the Lord. This time he heard the sound of a little girl wandering lost and frightened in the snow. Some warm milk and soothing words stilled the frightened cries, and soon afterward Conrad restored the lost child to her mother’s arms. Once more Conrad returned to his vigil. But now the sun was sinking, and the wintry Christmas day was coming to an end.
But where was his promised guest? Anxious and weary and somewhat disappointed, Conrad dropped to his knees and prayed, “Oh Lord, where were you? I waited and watched for you all day. Why didn’t you come?”
Out of the silence came a voice: “Oh Conrad, my Conrad, don’t be dismayed. This very day, three times I came to your door. Three times my shadow crossed your floor. I was the beggar with frozen feet. I was the woman you fed. I was the little girl who was lost.”
I love this little parable.
What a beautiful reminder that whenever we reach out to help the least, the lost, the hungry, the hurting, that the LOVE of our Lord is found in the midst of those offerings and another gift of Christmas is found.
May we all be on the lookout for those divine moments. And then? May we be bold in the Holy Spirit to do something to meet the needs of those hurting in the name of LOVE.
This Sunday, let’s talk JOY in the Harvest.
Deep breaths, friends. Christmas Day approaches.
